Voranun Taweerutchana

Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School

“Proud Thai female engineer and US tech startup founder committed to transforming tech with empathy.”

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand

Fun fact about yourself: My nickname is Aom, which in Thailand means “saving,” but I actually love “sharing” with friends, such as my home-cooking meals, gifts and souvenirs.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Chulalongkorn University, Bachelor of Engineering, Major in Industrial Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? NocNoc.com, Senior Service Standard Developer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? I founded my own venture, AnotherMe, an AI-powered Mental Health and Wellness platform.

Where will you be working after graduation? I will continue to launch my own venture and hire a diverse team to grow it.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Awards and Honors

1. Honors in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Skandalaris Center, the home of WashU entrepreneurship
2. 2nd Place Winner in Olin’s BIG IdeaBounce® for AnotherMe idea
3. Finalist Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC) for AnotherMe pitch

Scholarships

1. 2022–24 Joyce and William Nusbaum Scholarship, Engineering and Entrepreneurial Aspirations recognition
2. 2023–24 Values-Based, Data-Driven Scholarship

Community Works

1. Arch Grant Application Project Leader
2. Olin Teacher Assistance of Marketing Management Class
3. Olin Teacher Assistance of Digital Marketing Class
4. Consortium Fellow
5. Forté Fellow

Leadership Positions in Associations and Clubs

1. Co-President of Olin East and Southeast Asia Club
2. VP of Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Association (EVCA)
3. VP of Olin Tech Club
4. VP of Olin Marketing Association

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Starting my own venture is something I’ve never dreamed of before, but the connections and resources at WashU Olin Business School helped me launch it here in St Louis. I gained tons of experience, wore multiple hats, and stepped out of my comfort zone as part of WashU Olin’s continuous learning process.

Starting AnotherMe, an AI-powered mental wellness platform, at WashU Olin, was transformative. Through the school’s many resources and support (e.g., faculty members, professors, experiential learnings, and even the law entrepreneurship clinic), our team developed an app offering personalized guidance to reduce stress and enhance well-being, helping users navigate life’s challenges with AI-driven support. Through early customer engagement, we achieved a remarkable 80% positive feedback score, demonstrating strong market validation. Our commitment to innovation further propelled us to secure second place out of a competitive pool that included over 110 entrants in WashU Olin’s Big IdeaBounce® competition. This venture validated our concept and equipped me with crucial skills in AI/ML application, product development, and user engagement, all of which will be pivotal for my future in tech entrepreneurship and mental health innovation!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The achievement I am most proud of in my professional career happened when I worked at NocNoc.com. I led a team that significantly reduced wait times for service quotations from an average of seven to 14 days to less than 24 hours. This success stands out to me because it created a win-win situation for service providers, customers, and the business itself. By identifying that the prolonged wait times were largely due to the service providers’ lack of access to efficient technology, I spearheaded adopting a cloud-based form into an easy-to-use online quotation tool. This resolved the immediate issue and improved overall customer satisfaction and business operational efficiency.

I chose this achievement because it reflects my ability to address complex problems with simple, resourceful solutions. Reducing the quotation wait times meant customers were happier and less likely to complain, service providers could serve more customers efficiently, and the business benefited from increased customer satisfaction and cost savings. It’s a clear example of how understanding and solving the pain points of one group can have a positive ripple effect, benefiting all parties involved. This experience has reinforced my belief in the power of win-win situations and my ability to create them!

Why did you choose this business school? The main reason I chose WashU Olin was its incredible entrepreneurship program. During my research, WashU Olin consistently ranked highly, particularly in Poets&Quants. What truly impressed me was the focus on experiential learning through programs like CELect (Center for Experiential Learning and Entrepreneurship) and the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I believe WashU Olin’s resources will equip me with the skills and network to develop a successful venture in the future. This aspect is crucial for my future as I aim to acquire skills to advance my family’s business and to execute my dream venture, which I envision to impact millions positively!

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite class was Introduction to Entrepreneurship, led by Professor Doug Villhard. This course emphasized understanding customer pain points through experiential learning, specifically by conducting interviews, and instilled in me the importance of solving their problems directly. It taught me to focus on and appreciate the problem rather than falling in love with a potential solution. This hands-on experience has shaped my entrepreneurial journey and has helped me gain valuable insights to apply to my future endeavors.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? The WashU Olin MBA Summit truly stands out to me as a remarkable tradition. These events go beyond the typical alumni gatherings. WashU Olin connects current students with alumni from a wide range of industries across the entire United States, not just the Midwest. This national network allows students to gain valuable insights from seasoned professionals in diverse fields. For example, at a recent event, I connected with Olin alums who are leaders at Amazon, Mastercard, Meta, and more. Their insights on emerging technologies, such as AI/ML, were invaluable and helped me refine my career goals in the tech industry.

The WashU Olin MBA summit reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a strong and supportive alumni network. These events create a sense of community that extends beyond graduation, equipping students with the knowledge and connections they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Reflecting on my MBA journey at Olin, I can proudly say I maximized my academic endeavors and aligned my experiences closely with my initial plans. However, if there’s one aspect I’d approach differently, it would have been to immerse myself more deeply in extracurricular activities. Specifically, I would have loved to have participated in a case competition with St. Louis City SC, a soccer club renowned for its community outreach and the way it brings people together. This case competition caught my eye as it wasn’t just about doing more outside the classroom; it was about using what was learned during MBA studies to make a real difference in the community. Working with St. Louis City SC would have been a perfect chance to apply my MBA knowledge in the real world and give back to a community I called home in a meaningful way.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Coming here, I did research about WashU Olin’s core pillars—experiential learning, global perspective, entrepreneurial spirit, and values-based and data-driven decision-making—which initially felt generic to me. But WashU Olin lives them, not just lists them. Over 100 experiential learning organizations, globe-spanning immersion programs, and robust entrepreneurial support show that their commitment goes beyond words! As an international student from a developing country, I never thought a US-based startup venture could be possible. However, WashU Olin empowered me and provided the support to make it a reality. They don’t just talk about these pillars—they live them—and that makes all the difference. That’s what makes Olin truly special.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What I love most about St. Louis is the combination of its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and unique cultural offerings. It truly reminds me of Odin’s quote from Thor: Ragnarok, “Asgard is not a place … Asgard is where our people stand.” St. Louis embodies this spirit—the warmth of everyone here fosters a strong sense of community, which perfectly complements WashU Olin’s focus on building a supportive network.

What surprised you the most about business school? One thing that surprised me the most about business school was the incredible caliber of the professors, not just in terms of knowledge but also in their teaching styles. Take Professor Horn, for example. His acting skills make even complex economic concepts come alive. His dynamic lectures helped me truly grasp demand and supply concepts in a way that traditional lectures never could. Professor Chayet is another example. He teaches operations, a subject that many might find dry. He uses humor and games to transform operations into an engaging learning experience. His strategic use of activities, not just random jokes, directly applied to the operations concepts we were learning. This made them not only memorable, but also applicable to real-world situations. These are just two examples of exceptional professors here who are dedicated to ensuring their students understand the material and enjoy the learning process.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I’ve been fortunate to connect with all of my amazing classmates at WashU Olin, but one person I deeply admire most is Linda Graff. Her engagement in class discussions first caught my attention. When I had the chance to collaborate with her on the Arch Grants project, her strategic thinking and contribution were impactful. Furthermore, her active role in the Forté club demonstrates her commitment to leadership and community involvement. Lastly, her friendly demeanor creates an environment where collaborating with her comes naturally and is truly enjoyable. I’m grateful to have her as my classmate.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Leverage tech to bridge the mental health gap in underserved communities within the United States, making mental healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of location or background.

2. Inspire and empower others to step outside their comfort zones and pursue their leadership ambitions, particularly international women from developing countries like me.

What made Voranun such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“During her time at Olin, Voranun has stood out as a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit coupled with unwavering dedication and relentless optimism. Her MBA journey is marked by a fearless approach to risk-taking, underpinned by a strategic mindset. This is evident in Voranun’s ambitious endeavor to launch a venture in the United States, a testament to her belief in the power of innovation to effect change.

But Voranun’s impact extends far beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits. With her infectious enthusiasm and innate ability to uplift others, she has significantly enhanced the educational journey for herself and her peers. I witnessed this firsthand as a teaching assistant in one of my undergraduate courses. In addition, her leadership and participation in all four of my graduate courses contributed to a more dynamic and engaging experience. She fostered a culture of collaboration and empowerment within the Olin community.

Voranun’s story is one of personal achievement and collective growth, embodying what we strive for at WashU Olin. Her journey vividly illustrates the power of bringing together a strategic mind, a courageous heart, and a community-oriented spirit to forge paths that lead to meaningful, lasting change.”

Professor Michael Wall
Professor of Practice in Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Co-Director of the Center for Analytics and Business Insights (CABI)

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